Archives: Episode

This is Ordinary Time, Proper 14, in the Church Calendar.

Our general order comes from the Book of Common Prayer (1979) Daily Office and Scripture readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. We’ll sing “(We Call You) Our Father” by me throughout today’s time of prayer. We’ll read Psalm 34:1-8 followed by the Gloria Patri. Our Lesson is John 6:35, 41-51. We’ll say the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Collect of the Day. We’ll then have a time of prompted prayer.

If you have a prayer request please submit it at https://benwardmusic.com/prayerrequest. If you’d like to be on the email list visit https://benwardmusic.com/email.

Visit https://patreon.com/morningprayer to give and support Morning Prayer monthly. Go to https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=LUAEY98ADT8UG to give a one-time gift.

Photo by me. 🙂

(We Call You) Our Father
Ben Ward

Our Father, in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Psalm 34:1-8

1 I will bless the Lord at all times; *
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.

2 I will glory in the Lord; *
let the humble hear and rejoice.

3 Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord;
let us exalt his Name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me *
and delivered me out of all my terror.

5 Look upon him and be radiant, *
and let not your faces be ashamed.

6 I called in my affliction and the Lord heard me *
and saved me from all my troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encompasses those who fear him, *
and he will deliver them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; *
happy are they who trust in him!

John 6:35, 41-51 (NRSV)
Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day

Proper 14, Rite Two
Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:1

This is Ordinary Time, Proper 13, in the Church Calendar.

Our general order comes from the Book of Common Prayer (1979) Daily Office and Scripture readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. We’ll sing “To Worship You” by Harold Greene and me throughout today’s time of prayer. We’ll read Psalm 51:1-13 followed by the Gloria Patri. Our Lesson is John 6:24-35. We’ll say the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Collect of the Day. We’ll then have a time of prompted prayer.

If you have a prayer request please submit it at https://benwardmusic.com/prayerrequest. If you’d like to be on the email list visit https://benwardmusic.com/email.

Visit https://patreon.com/morningprayer to give and support Morning Prayer monthly. Go to https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=LUAEY98ADT8UG to give a one-time gift.

Artwork is by Hermel Alejandre. https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-bread-of-life-hermel-alejandre.html

To Worship You
Ben Ward/Harold Greene

We see Your glory
We sing Your praise
We give You honor
We seek Your face
In this place

We hear Your voice calling
We feel Your Spirit falling
There’s nothing we’d rather do
There’s nothing we’d rather do
Than to worship You

Is it Your pleasure?
Do You delight?
If we bring our treasures
Or a heart made right
Make our hearts right

We hear Your voice calling
We feel Your Spirit falling
There’s nothing we’d rather do
There’s nothing we’d rather do
Than to worship You

We feel Your Spirit falling
We hear Your voice calling
There’s nothing we’d rather do
There’s nothing we’d rather do
There’s nothing we’d rather do
Than to worship You

Prayer of Confession

Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Psalm 51:1-13

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; *
in your great compassion blot out my offenses.

2 Wash me through and through from my wickedness *
and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions, *
and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against you only have I sinned *
and done what is evil in your sight.

5 And so you are justified when you speak *
and upright in your judgment.

6 Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, *
a sinner from my mother’s womb.

7 For behold, you look for truth deep within me, *
and will make me understand wisdom secretly.

8 Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; *
wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.

9 Make me hear of joy and gladness, *
that the body you have broken may rejoice.

10 Hide your face from my sins *
and blot out all my iniquities.

11 Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
and renew a right spirit within me.

12 Cast me not away from your presence *
and take not your holy Spirit from me.

13 Give me the joy of your saving help again *
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

John 6:24-35 (NRSV)
On the next day, when the people who remained after the feeding of the five thousand saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day

Proper 13, Rite Two

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

This is Ordinary Time, Proper 12, in the Church Calendar.

Our general order comes from the Book of Common Prayer (1979) Daily Office and Scripture readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. We’ll sing “Take Your Place” by Jon Thurlow throughout today’s time of prayer. We’ll read Psalm 145:10-18 followed by the Gloria Patri. Our Lesson is John 6:1-21. We’ll say the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Collect of the Day. We’ll then have a time of prompted prayer.

If you have a prayer request please submit it at https://benwardmusic.com/prayerrequest. If you’d like to be on the email list visit https://benwardmusic.com/email.

Visit https://patreon.com/morningprayer to give and support Morning Prayer monthly. Go to https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=LUAEY98ADT8UG to give a one-time gift.

Artwork is by Sir Basil Spence. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54901

Take Your Place
Jon Thurlow

Come and take Your place
In the center of our hearts
Come and take Your place

My soul longs for You, Lord
In a dry and weary land

Prayer of Confession

Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Psalm 145:10-18

10 All your works praise you, O LORD, *
and your faithful servants bless you.

11 They make known the glory of your kingdom *
and speak of your power;

12 That the peoples may know of your power *
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; *
your dominion endures throughout all ages.

14 The LORD is faithful in all his words *
and merciful in all his deeds.

15 The LORD upholds all those who fall; *
he lifts up those who are bowed down.

16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O LORD, *
and you give them their food in due season.

17 You open wide your hand *
and satisfy the needs of every living creature.

18 The LORD is righteous in all his ways *
and loving in all his works.

John 6:1-21 (NRSV)

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”

When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day

Proper 12

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom
nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon
us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so
pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Welcome to Morning Prayer again this week! There were several technical difficulties I encountered while recording and editing this week’s episode…but here it is! When things like that happen, I choose to believe there is power and value in persevering. I pray that this episode holds meaning and life-change for someone…maybe you. I know it does for me! 

From Psalm 24: “Such is the generation of those who seek him, of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.”

This is Ordinary Time, Proper 10, in the Church Calendar.

As always, our general order comes from the Book of Common Prayer (1979) Daily Office and Scripture readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. We’ll sing “Fragrance” by Jon Thurlow throughout today’s time of prayer. We’ll read Psalm 24 followed by the Gloria Patri. Our Lesson is Mark 6:14-29. We’ll say the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Collect of the Day. We’ll then have a time of prompted prayer.

If you have a prayer request please submit it at https://benwardmusic.com/prayerrequest. If you’d like to be on the email list visit https://benwardmusic.com/email.

Visit https://patreon.com/morningprayer to give and support Morning Prayer monthly. Go to https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=LUAEY98ADT8UG to give a one-time gift.

Artwork is by Alek Rapoport. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alek_Rapoport_-Trinity_in_Dark_Tones-_1994.jpg

Fragrance
Jon Thurlow

I love the fragrance of Your name, O Lord
I love the fragrance of Your name

Your name is like ointment poured forth
Your name is like, Your name is like

How I love, how I love the fragrance of Your name

Psalm 24

1 The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, *
  the world and all who dwell therein.

2 For it is he who founded it upon the seas *
  and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep.

3 “Who can ascend the hill of the Lord? *
  and who can stand in his holy place?”

4 “Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, *
  who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,
  nor sworn by what is a fraud.

5 They shall receive a blessing from the Lord*
  and a just reward from the God of their salvation.”

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, *
  of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

7 Lift up your heads, O gates;
  lift them high, O everlasting doors; *
  and the King of glory shall come in.

8 “Who is this King of glory?” *
  “The Lord, strong and mighty,
  the Lord, mighty in battle.”

9 Lift up your heads, O gates;
  lift them high, O everlasting doors; *
  and the King of glory shall come in.

10 “Who is he, this King of glory?”
  “The Lord of hosts,
  he is the King of glory.”

Mark 6:14-29 (NRSV)

King Herod heard of Jesus and his disciples, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day

Proper 10, Rite Two

O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Welcome to Morning Prayer! I’m so thankful you’ve found yourself here, with this community, today. The Psalm for today mentions waiting in silence on God’s loving-kindness. So that’s my invitation to you: set aside these few minutes as holy. Wait before Jesus until you see, feel, hear, and somehow know his love anew.

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This is Ordinary Time, Proper 9, in the Church Calendar.

As always, our general order comes from the Book of Common Prayer (1979) Daily Office and Scripture readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. We’ll sing “Hungry” by Kathryn Scott throughout today’s time of prayer. We’ll read Psalm 48 followed by the Gloria Patri. Our Lesson is Mark 6:1-13. We’ll say the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Collect of the Day. We’ll then have a time of prompted prayer.

If you have a prayer request please submit it at https://benwardmusic.com/prayerrequest. If you’d like to be on the email list visit https://benwardmusic.com/email.

Visit https://patreon.com/morningprayer to give and support Morning Prayer monthly. Go to https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=LUAEY98ADT8UG to give a one-time gift.

Artwork is by Emily Carr. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57964

Hungry
Kathryn Scott

Hungry I come to You for I know You satisfy
I am empty but I know Your love does not run dry

So I wait for You
So I wait for You

I’m falling on my knees
Offering all of me
Jesus You’re all this heart is living for

Broken I run to You for Your arms are open wide
I am weary but I know Your touch restores my life

I’m falling on my knees
Offering all of me
Jesus You’re all this heart is living for

Prayer of Confession

Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Psalm 48

1 Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; *
  in the city of our God is his holy hill.

2 Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the hill of Zion, *
  the very center of the world and the city of the great King.

3 God is in her citadels; *
  he is known to be her sure refuge.

4 Behold, the kings of the earth assembled *
  and marched forward together.

5 They looked and were astounded; *
  they retreated and fled in terror.

6 Trembling seized them there; *
  they writhed like a woman in childbirth,
  like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.

7 As we have heard, so have we seen,
  in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God; *
  God has established her for ever.

8 We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God, *
  in the midst of your temple.

9 Your praise, like your Name, O God, reaches to the world’s end; *
  your right hand is full of justice.

10 Let Mount Zion be glad
  and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
  because of your judgments.

11 Make the circuit of Zion;
  walk round about her; *
  count the number of her towers.

12 Consider well her bulwarks;
  examine her strongholds; *
  that you may tell those who come after.

13 This God is our God for ever and ever; *
  he shall be our guide for evermore.

Mark 6:1-13 (NRSV)

Jesus came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day

Proper 9, Rite Two

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

This is Ordinary Time, Proper 8, in the Church Calendar.

As always, our general order comes from the Book of Common Prayer (1979) Daily Office and Scripture readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. We’ll sing a retuned version of “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” by Frederick Faber, Stephanie Osorio, and me throughout today’s time of prayer. We’ll read Psalm 30 followed by the Gloria Patri. Our Lesson is Mark 5:21-43. We’ll say the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Collect of the Day. We’ll then have a time of prompted prayer.

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Artwork is by Annemiek Punt. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20210625950895369&code=act&RC=57959&Row=1

There’s a Wideness
Frederick W. Faber, Ben Ward, Stephanie Osorio

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
like the wideness of the sea
there’s a kindness in God’s justice
which is more than liberty
There is welcome for the sinner
and more graces for the good
There is mercy with the Savior
there is healing in his blood

How wide, how high
How vast, everlasting enough
We’ll never reach the border
Expanding like the universe
It’s the heart of holy order
Mercy, kindness, overwhelming love

For the love of God is broader
than the measure of our mind
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind
If our love were but more simple
we should rest upon God’s word
and our lives would be illumined
by the presence of our Lord

Prayer of Confession

Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Psalm 30

1 I will exalt you, O Lord,
  because you have lifted me up *
  and have not let my enemies triumph over me.

2 O Lord my God, I cried out to you, *
  and you restored me to health.

3 You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; *
  you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.

4 Sing to the Lord, you servants of his; *
  give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.

5 For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *
  his favor for a lifetime.

6 Weeping may spend the night, *
  but joy comes in the morning.

7 While I felt secure, I said,
  “I shall never be disturbed. *
  You, Lord, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains.”

8 Then you hid your face, *
  and I was filled with fear.

9 I cried to you, O Lord; *
  I pleaded with the Lord, saying,

10 “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *
  will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?

11 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; *
  O Lord, be my helper.”

12 You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
  you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.

13 Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
  O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.

Mark 5:21-43 (NRSV)

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day

Proper 8

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)